Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Colossians: Chapter 3].
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3:1 {If then ye were raised together with Christ} (\ei oun
sun•gerth•te t•i Christ•i\). Condition of the first class,
assumed as true, like that in 2:20 and the other half of the
picture of baptism in 2:12 and using the same form
\sun•gerth•te\ as then which see for the verb \sunegeir•\.
Associative instrumental case of \Christ•i\. {The things that are
above} (\ta an•\). "The upward things" (cf. Php 3:14), the
treasure in heaven (Mt 6:20). Paul gives this ideal and goal in
place of merely ascetic rules. {Seated on the right hand of God}
(\en dexi•i tou theou kath•menos\). Not periphrastic verb, but
additional statement. Christ is up there and at God's right hand.
Cf. 2:3.
3:2 {Set your mind on} (\phroneite\). "Keep on thinking about."
It does matter what we think and we are responsible for our
thoughts. {Not on the things that are upon the earth} (\m• ta epi
t•s g•s\). Paul does not mean that we should never think the
things upon the earth, but that these should not be our aim, our
goal, our master. The Christian has to keep his feet upon the
earth, but his head in the heavens. He must be heavenly-minded
here on earth and so help to make earth like heaven.
3:3 {For ye died} (\apethanete gar\). Definite event, aorist
active indicative, died to sin (Ro 6:2). {Is hid}
(\kekruptai\). Perfect passive indicative of \krupt•\, old verb,
to hide, remains concealed, locked "together with" (\sun\)
Christ, "in" (\en\) God. No hellish burglar can break that
combination.
3:4 {When Christ shall be manifested} (\hotan ho Christos
phaner•th•i\). Indefinite temporal clause with \hotan\ and the
first aorist passive subjunctive of \phanero•\, "whenever Christ
is manifested," a reference to the second coming of Christ as
looked for and longed for, but wholly uncertain as to time. See
this same verb used of the second coming in 1Jo 3:2. {Ye also
together with him} (\kai humeis sun aut•i\). That is the joy of
this blessed hope. He repeats the verb about us
\phaner•th•sesthe\ (future passive indicative) and adds \en
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Colossians: Chapter 3)